# Hot Bird

> fleet of communications satellites, typically operating at 13° East

**Wikidata**: [Q1991147](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1991147)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hot_Bird)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/hot-bird

## Summary
Hot Bird is a fleet of communications satellites operated by Eutelsat, typically positioned at 13° East longitude. It provides television, radio, and multimedia broadcasting services across Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East.

## Key Facts
- Hot Bird is a fleet of communications satellites operated by Eutelsat
- The satellites typically operate at 13° East longitude
- Hot Bird satellites are classified as geostationary communications satellites
- The fleet includes multiple satellites such as Hotbird 13G, Hotbird 13F, and Hotbird 1
- Hotbird 1 was a decommissioned Eutelsat communications satellite
- The fleet has aliases including Hotbird, Hot-Bird, Хотбёрд, and Хот Бёрд
- Hot Bird has a Wikipedia presence in 10 languages including English, French, and Japanese
- The fleet is categorized as a spacecraft fleet and is a subclass of both communications and geostationary satellites

### Q: What is Hot Bird?
A: Hot Bird is a fleet of communications satellites operated by Eutelsat that provides broadcasting services across Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East from the 13° East orbital position.

### Q: Who operates the Hot Bird satellites?
A: Hot Bird satellites are operated by Eutelsat, a European satellite operator.

### Q: Where are Hot Bird satellites positioned?
A: Hot Bird satellites typically operate at 13° East longitude in geostationary orbit.

### Q: What services do Hot Bird satellites provide?
A: Hot Bird satellites provide television, radio, and multimedia broadcasting services to Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East.

### Q: Is Hot Bird a single satellite or multiple satellites?
A: Hot Bird is a fleet of multiple communications satellites, not a single satellite.

## Why It Matters
Hot Bird represents a critical infrastructure for broadcasting across Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East, enabling millions of households to access television and radio services. As a geostationary fleet positioned at 13° East, it serves as a major hub for direct-to-home broadcasting, cable head-end feeds, and multimedia services. The Hot Bird constellation has become one of the most significant satellite broadcasting systems in its coverage area, supporting both free-to-air and encrypted channels. Its strategic orbital position makes it a preferred choice for broadcasters targeting multiple regions simultaneously, while its reliability and capacity have made it essential for both commercial and public service broadcasting operations. The fleet's importance extends beyond entertainment, as it also supports emergency communications and other critical services.

## Notable For
- Strategic 13° East orbital position serving Europe, North Africa, and Middle East
- One of the most significant satellite broadcasting systems in its coverage area
- Long operational history with multiple satellite generations
- Support for both free-to-air and encrypted broadcasting services
- Critical infrastructure for millions of households' television and radio reception

## Body
### Fleet Composition and History
The Hot Bird fleet consists of multiple communications satellites operated by Eutelsat. The constellation has evolved over time with various satellite generations, including Hotbird 13G, Hotbird 13F, and the decommissioned Hotbird 1. Each satellite in the fleet is designed to provide reliable broadcasting services from the 13° East orbital position.

### Technical Specifications
Hot Bird satellites are geostationary communications satellites, meaning they maintain a fixed position relative to Earth's surface at approximately 35,786 kilometers above the equator. This positioning allows for consistent coverage of their target regions without the need for tracking antennas on the ground.

### Coverage Area
The fleet's strategic positioning at 13° East provides optimal coverage across Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. This coverage area includes millions of potential viewers and listeners, making Hot Bird a crucial platform for broadcasters targeting these regions.

### Services Provided
Hot Bird satellites support a wide range of broadcasting services including direct-to-home television, cable head-end feeds, radio broadcasting, and multimedia services. The fleet accommodates both free-to-air channels and encrypted services, serving diverse market needs.

### Operational Management
Eutelsat operates the Hot Bird fleet with comprehensive ground control facilities, ensuring continuous service availability and technical reliability. The operator manages satellite health, orbital positioning, and service provisioning for the entire constellation.

## Schema Markup
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "Hot Bird",
  "description": "Fleet of communications satellites operated by Eutelsat, typically positioned at 13° East longitude",
  "url": "https://www.eutelsat.com/en/satellites/eutelsat-13-east-hotbird.html",
  "sameAs": [
    "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q15241312",
    "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hot_Bird"
  ],
  "additionalType": "SpacecraftFleet"
}

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013